Opinion - Mission possible: An alternative to facial recognition technology
For decades, Hollywood has presented audiences with futuristic disguises that were once thought only possible in science fiction. Silicone masks, fake contact lenses, and 3D printed biometrics are staples of popular spy movies like the 'Mission: Impossible' franchise. But these forms of 'spyware,' once found only on the silver screen, are, in fact, a reality. The advent of the internet and facial recognition technology has turned disguise work into a matter of national security.
Just look at how our adversaries abuse facial recognition technology. Whether it is the Social Credit System or cameras lining public streets to monitor dissent against the Chinese state or oppress minority groups, China's surveillance state is built on facial recognition technology — some of the most sophisticated in the world, due to the amount of data it can access through measures such as its National Security Law. The Chinese Communist Party's monitoring system can essentially control the life of any individual across its regions, freeze payments and track purchases anywhere in the country.
With China as an example of how not to use facial recognition technology, the U.S. should be clear-eyed about the vulnerabilities and potential abuses posed by these increasing outmoded forms of biometric security. Advancements in artificial intelligence, deepfakes and three-dimensional printing are successfully tricking facial recognition tools, which should affirm that we cannot continue to rely on them to protect locations critical to national security.
Threat actors have developed a variety of tactics to spoof facial recognition software. Some are known as 'replay attacks' and occur when a video is presented to a facial biometric system by an actor other than the intended user. Static photos are another form of attack with the same intention. Currently, the success rate for bypassing facial recognition technologies with these methods is 98 percent and 96 percent respectively — a staggering statistic. Europol even recently noted how artificial intelligence is successfully compromising phones, issuing a warning about 'increased use of artificial fingerprints, deepfake media, and voice cloning to bypass security protocols.'
Facial recognition technology also presents challenges with accurate identification. While cheap or generic silicone masks perform poorly in fooling individual biometric devices, they prove effective in avoiding facial recognition technology in a crowd. Let us also not forget that some older versions of facial recognition technology struggled to distinguish between people with darker skin. Knowing this challenge, we must seriously question efforts to use facial recognition to verify voter identity before casting a ballot — one of America's foundational processes.
There are three things we must do as we move away from facial recognition technology.
First, to protect the privacy of Americans, and until new technology is put into place, the U.S. should begin by exploring implementation of proven biometric security tools on a solely voluntary basis. For example, the Transportation Security Administration uses facial verification technology, and permits individuals to opt out.
Second, consequences must be imposed when unsecure technology is developed, or adversaries cross the line. While the Committee on Homeland Security is currently undertaking the challenge to change these economic models in cybersecurity, we have an opportunity to get ahead of them now by pursuing more secure and accurate biometric security tools. We cannot become overly dependent on fallible technology — the risks are simply too high.
Finally, while we seek alternatives to facial recognition technology that ensure U.S. law enforcement entities have the best tools to protect us, the U.S. must clearly call out China for its abuse of facial recognition technology. The Chinese Communist Party's use of facial recognition technology to control its citizenry is unacceptable and should concern all Americans.
The U.S. must address the risks of facial recognition technology head on to protect the liberties we cherish. It is time we work closely with our innovators to champion biometric solutions that are secure, reliable and aligned with American values.
Mark Green, M.D., represents Tennessee's 7th Congressional District and is chairman of the House Homeland Security Committee.
Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
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